How do you generate character abilities? - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

How do you generate character abilities?

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
Shesheyan
Mar 04, 2010 20:01:02 I'm thinking of using this system to generate characters for my next campaign.Its fast and simple:

Player receives +6 in ability bonuses he can distribute as he wishes. Negative penalties to abilties can be taken to raise the value of other bonuses at the rate of 1 for 1, but total bonuses can never exceed +6.

[edit]No ability can be raised over 18. 3 abilities must have odd numbers and the 3 other even numbers[/edit]

Exemple : 17 (+3) / 15 (+2) / 10 (+0) / 12 (+1) / 12 (+1) / 09 (-1) = +6 in bonuses.

Shesheyan
#2
tequila_sunrise
Mar 04, 2010 20:14:03 If you have any min/maxer players, be prepared for the 18/18/18/6/6/6 array.
#3
Qube
Mar 05, 2010 3:44:00
If you have any min/maxer players, be prepared for the 18/18/18/6/6/6 array.

or 18/18/18/15/3/3 (str/wis/dex, 4th con, dump int and cha)

#4
Shesheyan
Mar 05, 2010 6:21:05
If you have any min/maxer players, be prepared for the 18/18/18/6/6/6 array.

or 18/18/18/15/3/3 (str/wis/dex, 4th con, dump int and cha)

Fortunetly I don't have that kind of player and if I had I would hold them to roleplay the 6s or 3s ALL the time. Its a thing I never get bored with as I have faced that a few times during my long career as a DM. Its so much fun for a DM when a player is constantly being told that he can't do this or that because he is to inept to do it. Either he would get bored with it or the other players would get ride of him one way or another.

#5
Shesheyan
Mar 05, 2010 8:32:41 PO has been edited.
#6
oldguygaming
Mar 06, 2010 21:15:14 I've grown quite found of the standard array system. Every character starts with the same six scores (16, 14, 13, 12, 11, 10) arranged however they like. Everyone starts even and with a decent array of above-average stats. If you really want to start with higher scores than that, you could always just bump those up but personally, I see no need.
#7
Shesheyan
Mar 07, 2010 13:50:50
I've grown quite found of the standard array system. Every character starts with the same six scores (16, 14, 13, 12, 11, 10) arranged however they like. Everyone starts even and with a decent array of above-average stats. If you really want to start with higher scores than that, you could always just bump those up but personally, I see no need.

Very pragmatic. I like that. My players would cringe at the thought of not having 17 or 18 in the favored ability of their class...LOL

#8
ezrayah
Mar 07, 2010 14:47:57 I don't really have a favorite yet. If it's for quickie characters I often pick the 32 point buy. Fair, fast and fairly balanced. For some flavour I often opt for rolled stats... but then again I do have one player who has probably sold her soul for a set of dice. I've checked and they aren't loaded but the number of highest possible results she can roll in one session is downright occult. Across from her, at the same table, sits a player who has terrible luck when it comes to ability scores from dice. Though statistically impossible, it's always the array from heaven across the array from hell. Always.

The standard array sounds interesting. Fair and fast. Yes, it seems a little less overpowered. Some of my players would also protest not having an 18 on their favored stat, but hey... it's a game after all.

The rules you propose seem workable... IF (indeed) you don't have a party of minmaxers and powerplayers. Else, I guess I'd stick to the beaten paths.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Shesheyan Mar 04, 2010 20:01:02	I'm thinking of using this system to generate characters for my next campaign.Its fast and simple: Player receives +6 in ability bonuses he can distribute as he wishes. Negative penalties to abilties can be taken to raise the value of other bonuses at the rate of 1 for 1, but total bonuses can never exceed +6. [edit]No ability can be raised over 18. 3 abilities must have odd numbers and the 3 other even numbers[/edit] Exemple : 17 (+3) / 15 (+2) / 10 (+0) / 12 (+1) / 12 (+1) / 09 (-1) = +6 in bonuses. Shesheyan
#2 tequila_sunrise Mar 04, 2010 20:14:03	If you have any min/maxer players, be prepared for the 18/18/18/6/6/6 array.
#3 Qube Mar 05, 2010 3:44:00	If you have any min/maxer players, be prepared for the 18/18/18/6/6/6 array. or 18/18/18/15/3/3 (str/wis/dex, 4th con, dump int and cha)
#4 Shesheyan Mar 05, 2010 6:21:05	If you have any min/maxer players, be prepared for the 18/18/18/6/6/6 array. or 18/18/18/15/3/3 (str/wis/dex, 4th con, dump int and cha) Fortunetly I don't have that kind of player and if I had I would hold them to roleplay the 6s or 3s ALL the time. Its a thing I never get bored with as I have faced that a few times during my long career as a DM. Its so much fun for a DM when a player is constantly being told that he can't do this or that because he is to inept to do it. Either he would get bored with it or the other players would get ride of him one way or another.
#5 Shesheyan Mar 05, 2010 8:32:41	PO has been edited.
#6 oldguygaming Mar 06, 2010 21:15:14	I've grown quite found of the standard array system. Every character starts with the same six scores (16, 14, 13, 12, 11, 10) arranged however they like. Everyone starts even and with a decent array of above-average stats. If you really want to start with higher scores than that, you could always just bump those up but personally, I see no need.
#7 Shesheyan Mar 07, 2010 13:50:50	I've grown quite found of the standard array system. Every character starts with the same six scores (16, 14, 13, 12, 11, 10) arranged however they like. Everyone starts even and with a decent array of above-average stats. If you really want to start with higher scores than that, you could always just bump those up but personally, I see no need. Very pragmatic. I like that. My players would cringe at the thought of not having 17 or 18 in the favored ability of their class...LOL
#8 ezrayah Mar 07, 2010 14:47:57	I don't really have a favorite yet. If it's for quickie characters I often pick the 32 point buy. Fair, fast and fairly balanced. For some flavour I often opt for rolled stats... but then again I do have one player who has probably sold her soul for a set of dice. I've checked and they aren't loaded but the number of highest possible results she can roll in one session is downright occult. Across from her, at the same table, sits a player who has terrible luck when it comes to ability scores from dice. Though statistically impossible, it's always the array from heaven across the array from hell. Always. The standard array sounds interesting. Fair and fast. Yes, it seems a little less overpowered. Some of my players would also protest not having an 18 on their favored stat, but hey... it's a game after all. The rules you propose seem workable... IF (indeed) you don't have a party of minmaxers and powerplayers. Else, I guess I'd stick to the beaten paths.